The faces behind Tilburg’s most surprising restaurant

Restaurant Host Jamie

Born and raised in Berkel-Enschot, Jamie began working in hospitality at the age of 17. What started as a part-time job quickly grew into a passion, and after completing her studies, she made it her full-time career. At Riddershoeve, she learned the craft as a Party Manager. Nine years later, Jamie moved on to Kok Verhoeven, where she discovered the dynamics of working in a restaurant. After five years at this well-known establishment, she was ready for a more intimate setting and joined the team at Restaurant Te Koop in Tilburg. Now, for more than six years on, Jamie is the Lead Host and has become the most familiar and recognizable face of Restaurant Te Koop.

“After three wonderful years working at Restaurant Te Koop in Tilburg, the opportunity arose to take over the restaurant — a step I took with full conviction. From a young age, hospitality has been part of my life. As a little girl, I was often found in the restaurant where my parents worked: sitting on the workbench next to my father in the kitchen, or helping my mother with tasks like polishing the bar. I loved the warm, welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere I felt there. It is exactly that feeling — of genuine hospitality and ease — that I want our guests to experience in our restaurant.”

Head Chef Robin

Robin’s love for cooking began at a young age, and the basic chef training soon proved not to be enough. Driven to deepen his craft, he decided to enrol at the prestigious Cas Spijkers Academie, which he successfully completed in 2018. During his studies, Robin joined Restaurant Te Koop in Tilburg as a trainee chef — and has never left the kitchen since. In the years following the Cas Spijkers Academie, he completed an internship at Restaurant Bolenius in Amsterdam, in the very year they were awarded their first Michelin star, a distinction they have proudly maintained ever since.

A second internship followed at the renowned Restaurant One in Roermond, which also continues to hold a Michelin star to this day. During these internships, Robin further deepened his understanding of Dutch Cuisine and the origin of the products used by these starred restaurants. “This style of cooking is very close to my heart. For me, the purity of the product always comes first. Together with my team, I look forward to delighting our guests with the quality they know and expect — enriched by my own experience, creativity, and the knowledge gained through my training.”

Neighbour Marcel

It’s no coincidence that everyone knows him as “the neighbour”: in October 2020, Marcel moved in right next door to Restaurant Te Koop in Tilburg, in the popular Armhoefse Akkers neighbourhood. Due to the lockdown, it took some time before he was able to dine at the restaurant himself — but once he did, he was immediately eager for more. Through his international career, Marcel gained extensive experience as a guest in a wide variety of restaurants around the world, and he was pleasantly surprised to discover this gem right on his doorstep. And it wasn’t just him — the entire neighbourhood quickly embraced the restaurant and loves to visit. When word spread that Restaurant Te Koop was, in fact, for sale, the news travelled fast through the area. No one wanted to lose this special place, and the idea of taking over the restaurant began to take shape. “From my very first visit, I was amazed by the quality, the depth of flavour, and the warm, inviting atmosphere. Time and again, I have enjoyed the hospitality and the remarkably refined dishes. What started as a spontaneous idea to take over the restaurant has now become reality, and I am truly honoured to be a co-owner of the most surprising restaurant in Tilburg.”

Team For Sale

The pride of our restaurant is the fantastic and enthusiastic Team For Sale! Where would we be without our dishwashers, cooks and waiters? How happy we are with Adrian, Brian, Celeste, Fiene, Iris, Isa, Joep, Kaya, Kris, Lucas, Roos, Sjors, Stef, Teun, Yurii, and everyone who joins in from time to time, such as Judith & Loes, Peter, Raichel!
Together with this team, we welcome our guests into our cosy and intimate restaurant.